Sem documentos eu não ninguém: escrevivência sobre minha experiência com migrantes indocumentados assistidos pela Cátedra Sérgio Vieira de Mello da Universidade Federal de Goiás

Abstract

Documentation is a fundamental instrument of legal and social recognition, essential for accessing rights and services. For migrants, the lack of documentation imposes significant barriers, restricts access to essential resources, and exposes them to conditions of vulnerability. Over the past two years, during my volunteer work at the Sérgio Vieira de Mello Chair (CSVM) at the Federal University of Goiás (UFG), from 2022 to 2024, I observed that the pursuit of legal documentation is one of the primary demands in the services provided. In light of this scenario, this research aims to examine the role of the CSVM/UFG, particularly regarding the process of legal documentation for migrants in irregular situations. The study is structured around three specific objectives. The first is to provide an overview of current migration dynamics, which serves as a foundation for discussions on asylum and the situation of undocumented migrants. The second objective is to analyze the contribution of the CSVM, assessing its performance and visibility in both academic and institutional contexts. Finally, the third objective is to investigate the obstacles hindering the implementation of CSVM/UFG's actions, highlighting the operational and institutional limitations of the agreement. Adopting a qualitative approach, the study combined theoretical review and empirical research. Focus groups were conducted with volunteers and interns, along with interviews with managers of the UFG Chair. These data, together with insights generated through escrevivência — employed as a powerful reflective methodology during my volunteer work at CSVM/UFG, in the Legal Practice Center (NPJ) — underscore the significance of this space as an environment of care and transformation, despite its limited reach. In addition to the slow pace of the documentation regularization process, the inefficiency of the services responsible for its execution also stands out, contributing to a broader scenario marked by institutional challenges and the fragility of specific public policies in the state of Goiás. In conclusion, this study proposes practical strategies to enhance the effectiveness of current efforts, with particular emphasis on reducing bureaucratic barriers in documentation procedures.